Primary finding
Probable cause
The airplane's impact by a bird during the initial climb.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb and while about 1,500 ft mean sea level, he saw a bird flying "straight up," but when it reached the airplane's altitude, it turned toward the airplane. The bird then impacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot's face. The airplane began descending, but the pilot regained control of the airplane, declared an emergency, and landed without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during the initial climb, about 1,500 ft mean sea level, a bird was flying vertical and then turned into the airplane. The bird contacted the propeller, continued through the left side of the windshield, and struck the pilot in the face. After regaining control of the airplane, the pilot declared an emergency and landed the airplane without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the windshield. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.